Category Archives: Justice & Fundamental Rights


Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights are the values on which the European Union is founded.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU is the fundamental text of reference for Union policies and initiatives.
COMECE closely follows policies related to justice and fundamental rights in areas such as equality and non-discrimination, data protection, family matters, rights of the child, child protection and EU citizenship.
COMECE is of the view that fundamental rights must have a clear and objective concept of human dignity as their basis, that the focus must be on the ethical implications of EU policies and legislation, and that considerations must be given to the way these latter may impact on the activities of the Church.
COMECE is assisted in this mission by a Legal Affairs Commission.
Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

Fruitful dialogue meeting on Freedom of Religion with the Hungarian EU Presidency

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) participated in the Article 17 TFEU conference “Shared Responsibility: Cooperation Between States and Religious Communities in Europe,” held in Budapest on Friday, 18 October 2024, under the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council. During the event, Alessandro Calcagno, COMECE Adviser for Fundamental Rights and Article 17 TFEU matters, emphasised that similar events – where … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

HUNGARIAN EU PRESIDENCY | European Churches meet with Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén

An ecumenical delegation representing the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE)  and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met with Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén on Monday, 24 June 2024, in Budapest, to discuss their concerns and perspectives in view of the incoming Hungarian EU Presidency. READ THE COMECE-CEC CONTRIBUTION The meeting was an occasion to present Churches’ contributions to … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

President of EU bishops encourages participation and voting for “candidates and parties that will continue building a better Europe”

As the upcoming EU elections approach, the President of COMECE, Mgr. Mariano Crociata, readdressed the topic on Tuesday, 4 June 2024. He encouraged all European citizens, especially Catholics, “to go vote and to do so responsibly, choosing candidates and parties that will continue building a better Europe for all. The EU is not perfect, but we want to improve it together using the democratic tools … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

EVENT | Governmental responsibility and personal ethos

In the framework of “European Future Talks” on “Values and Europe”, former President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, will deliver a keynote on ‘Governmental Responsibility and Personal Ethos.’ The event will be held on Wednesday, 5 June 2024, from 18:30 to 20:00 (CET) at the Chapel for Europe, Brussels. More info Respondents discussing the subject will be Dr Michaël Bauwens (Department of Philosophy … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

NEWS | Churches affirm place of Christian values in European politics and society

As Europe prepares for the 2024 EU elections in June, representatives of various Churches gathered in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 15-17 May 2024 to highlight the role of Christian values in European politics and society amid growing secularisation. Mgr. Crociata stated: “Churches have the opportunity and responsibility of giving our societies the hope of not losing memory of the roots that bring life to the values … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

EVENT | Conference “Politics as an area for expressing Christian values” to be held in Thessaloniki

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) is organising a conference titled “Politics as an Area for Expressing Christian Values in Everyday Life,” scheduled on 15-17 May 2024, in Thessaloniki, Greece. The event is open to the public and includes the official signing of the Declaration “Europe, be yourself!”. Programme | Ceremony This event is held in cooperation with the Conference … Continue reading »